Dingman Township
                           Pike County, PA        

 


                       

Legal Notice:  While every attempt has been made to be as accurate as possible, the material found on these pages represents an unofficial copy of the Dingman Township Parks and Playgrounds Ordinance.  When in conflict, the original signed official documents kept in the Township Building shall prevail.  Persons relying on this version shall do so at their own risk.

Copies of this ordinance may also be obtained through the Dingman Township Office.

 

Parks & Playgrounds Ordinance

 

Index

Section 1    Definitions

Section 2    Supervision of Parks

Section 3    Duties of the Recreation Commission

Section 4    Enforcement of Regulations

Section 5    Unlawful Acts

Section 6    Damage to Park Property; Fires in Parks

Section 7    Animals; Trees

Section 8    Restrooms & Washrooms

Section 9    Pollution of Waters; Depositing of refuse or trash

Section 10    Hours

Section 11    Group Permits

Section 12    Motor Vehicles

Section 13    Bringing Animals into Parks

Section 14    Alcoholic beverages

Section 15    Gambling; Indecent Acts

Section 16    Firearms; fireworks

Section 17    Hunting; Trapping; Fishing

Section 18    Bicycles; Skateboards; Model airplanes; Golf

Section 19    Swimming

Section 20    Clothing

Section 21    Merchandising, advertising and signs

Section 22    Age restrictions for certain Parks

Section 23    Camping

Section 24    Violations and Penalties

Enactment   

 

ORDINANCE NO. 07-2013 

DINGMAN TOWNSHIP

PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS RULES

 

Section 1   Definitions 

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

 

PARK       Includes playgrounds; arboreta and bird sanctuaries; bridle, fitness and hiking trails; children's playgrounds and tot-lots; nature parks; picnic areas; sledding areas; baseball/softball, basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball and similar improved recreational areas; swimming pools; undeveloped Township property; and the grounds surrounding any Township building.

 

VEHICLES          Any motorized device for carrying passengers or goods.

 

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Section 2   Supervision of Parks

All Township parks shall be operated and maintained under the general supervision of the Board of Supervisors acting through the Recreation Commission and in accordance with policies established by the Board of Supervisors upon recommendation of its Recreation Commission.

 

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Section 3   Duties of the Recreation Commission

A. The Board of Supervisors shall have immediate charge of all park maintenance, installation, repair and replacement of property and equipment therein and shall be chargeable with the duty of keeping the parks in a clean and sanitary condition at all times. The Board of Supervisors shall be in charge of the park maintenance employees.

B. The Recreation Commission shall have immediate charge of the use of all parks, park equipment and facilities, may develop recreational programs under Township sponsorship and shall regulate and issue permits for the use of parks by community groups. They may promulgate general regulations for the use of parks subject to the approval of the Board of Supervisors. The Supervisors shall be in charge of Parks and Recreation employees.

 

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Section 4   Enforcement of Regulations

It shall be the duty of the Board of Supervisors or its designee to enforce the provisions of this chapter and all rules, regulations and resolutions adopted by the Board of Supervisors and the Recreation Commission.

 

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Section 5 Unlawful Acts

A. It shall be unlawful to wash or make other than emergency repairs to any motor or other vehicle in any Township park.

B. Except for those holding group permits, it shall be unlawful to engage in any organized group game, activity or instruction in any Township park except in such places specifically provided and set apart for such use.

C. It shall be unlawful for private individuals or groups to engage in fund-raising, profit-making or commercial activities in any Township park without a permit, which will only be issued to community-based organizations for an activity cosponsored by the Township and subject to restrictions and conditions which may be imposed by the Recreation Commission.

D. It shall be unlawful to trespass on adjacent lands of residents or to harass the owners thereof.

E. Smoking. Smoking is defined as the carrying by a person of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or other lighted smoking device. Smoking is prohibited in all Township parks, except for motor vehicle parking areas and any other smoking areas designated by the Recreation Commission.

F. It shall be unlawful to operate snow mobiles, ATVs, dirt bikes, quads, golf carts or other similar motorized vehicles within the park.

G. It shall be unlawful to violate those Park Rules and Regulations set forth herein.

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Section 6   Damage to Park Property; Fire in Parks

A. No person in a park shall willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with, displace or remove any building, table, bench, fireplace, railing, paving, waterline or other public utility or part thereof, sign, notice or placard, whether temporary or permanent, monument, stake, post or other boundary marker or other structure or equipment, facility or appurtenance, whether real or personal.

B. No person shall light or permit a fire to burn in a park except in fireplaces designed for such purpose.

 

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Section 7   Animals; Trees

No person shall annoy, injure or kill any animal or bird in a park, or disturb any fish or waterfowl in streams, pools or ponds, or remove or carry away any bird's nest or egg. Nor shall any person injure or damage any tree, plant, shrub, fern, blossom, flower or turf. The picking of violets, buttercups, daisies or dandelions in parks, however, is permitted.

 

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Section 8   Rest Rooms and Wash Rooms

No person in a park shall fail to cooperate in maintaining rest rooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition. No person over the age of five years shall use the rest rooms and washrooms designated for the opposite sex.

 

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Section 9   Pollution of Waters; Depositing of Refuse or Trash

A. No person shall throw, discharge or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of any pond, lake or stream in any park, or in any tributary, storm sewer or drain flowing into a park, any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which may result in the pollution of said waters.

B. Refuse or trash shall be placed in proper receptacles, where they are provided. Where receptacles are not so provided, all such rubbish or waste shall be removed from the park by the person responsible for its presence and shall be properly disposed of elsewhere. 

 

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Section 10   Hours

No person shall be allowed in a park or playground except between sunrise and sunset daily, local time; provided, however, that the Parks and Recreation Committee may by resolution establish different times during which particular parks or playgrounds shall be kept open, subject to ratification by the Board of Supervisors; and the Director of Parks and Recreation shall then post in each park or playground the hours during which it shall be open. It shall be unlawful for any person other than authorized Township personnel to occupy or be present in a park or playground during any hours in which the park or playground is not open to the public. Any portion of a park or playground may be closed to the public by the Board of Supervisors or their designated appointee at any time, either temporarily or at regular or stated intervals.

 

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Section 11   Group Permits

A. Permits for the use of parks by groups of ten (10) persons or more desiring to engage in organized games, for the exclusive use of picnic tables or for any other special purpose shall be issued by the Recreation Commission upon application therefor. An application fee shall be as set forth in the Township Schedule of Fees, as adopted and amended from time to time by the Board of Supervisors. Any person to whom a permit is issued shall be liable for any loss, damage or injury sustained by any person by reason of the negligence or fault of the applicant, his servants, agents or employees.

B. The Township may allow certain park facilities to be used by permit and may provide that a fee be charged for making such reservations. Reservation fees shall be as set forth in the Township Schedule of Fees, as adopted and amended from time to time by the Board of Supervisors.

C. Time slots for using parks and recreation areas can be reserved by permit, and will take precedence over other public use of the area.

D. Regulations for the use of any group permit can be imposed by Recreation Commission.

 

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Section 12   Motor Vehicles

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to park a motor vehicle in any Township park, unless such person is a park patron who is using such park for park purposes during such time as such patron's motor vehicle is parked in such park, unless approved by the Recreation Commission.  

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to park a motor vehicle in any Township park at any time other than during park hours, unless approved by the Recreation Commission.

C. No person shall park any motor vehicle in any portion of a park except in spaces set aside and marked for parking purposes, and no person shall occupy a parked motor vehicle after dark except with the interior lights turned on. It shall be unlawful for any person to drive recklessly in a park, and no person shall drive in a park in excess of the posted speed limit. No person shall enter or leave a park except by entrances or exits provided for such purposes, and no person shall drive a motor vehicle in a park except on a road or driveway.

 

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Section 13   Bringing Animals into Parks

It shall be unlawful for any person to bring any animal other than certified service dogs into a park or playground.

 

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Section 14   Alcoholic Beverages

It shall be unlawful for any person in a park to drink or possess any alcoholic beverage, including but not limited to beer or other malt beverages. No intoxicated persons shall be permitted in a park.

 

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Section 15   Gambling; Indecent Acts

No gambling; nudity; obscene or indecent acts; amplified music or other sounds; abusive, threatening, indecent or profane language; or conduct that annoys other persons shall be allowed in a park.

 

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Section 16   Firearms; Fireworks

No person except authorized members of the Police shall discharge firearms of any kind in a park without a special permit, unless exempted. The use of javelins, arrows, discuses or similar athletic equipment dangerous in character is prohibited unless used under the direct supervision of an authorized playground supervisor. The use of firecrackers, fireworks or rockets is prohibited. Fireworks displays under a Township permit by qualified experts shall be permitted.

 

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Section 17   Hunting; Trapping;  Fishing

No hunting, trapping or fishing shall be allowed in any Park at any time.

 

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Section 18   Bicycles; Skateboards; Model Airplanes; Golf

The use of bicycles, skateboards, motor-powered vehicles, or motor powered or propellant-driven model airplanes or rockets in a park is prohibited except at locations specifically designated for such purposes or otherwise approved by the Recreation Commission. The playing of golf in any park is prohibited except on putting greens and other locations provided for such purposes and specifically so designated.

 

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Section 19   Swimming

No person shall enter creeks or waterways within Township parks for the purpose of swimming or bathing.

 

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Section 20   Clothing

No person shall appear in bathing attire in any park except within the limits of designated bathing places or areas, and all bathing costumes shall conform to commonly accepted standards. Persons over five years of age shall wear shirts or other proper covering, except for gentlemen while sunbathing. Dressing or undressing on any beach or in any vehicle, toilet or other place is prohibited.

 

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Section 21   Merchandising, Advertising and Signs

A. No person in a park or playground shall:

(1) Expose or offer for sale any article of personal property, nor shall he station or place in a park or playground any stand, cart or vehicle for the transportation, sale or display of any such article. The solicitation of alms or subscriptions in a park or playground is prohibited.

(2) Advertise or call the attention of the public in any way to any article or service for sale or hire.

(3) Paste, glue, tack or otherwise post any sign, placard, advertisement or inscription whatever on any tree, building, fence, playground equipment or other property in a park or playground.

 

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Section 22   Age Restrictions for Certain Parks

Certain parks and playgrounds shall be only for the use of persons of certain ages, and such certain parks and playgrounds and ages shall be as established by resolution of the Recreation Commission, subject to ratification by the Board of Supervisors. The Recreation Commission shall then post the ages of persons permitted to use or occupy such certain parks and playgrounds in such respective parks and playgrounds. It shall be unlawful for any person other than authorized Township personnel to use or occupy a park or playground if such person is not of an age permitted to use or occupy such park or playground.

 

The Board of Supervisors may from time to time, by resolution, adopt a schedule of fees and charges for Township facilities. In addition, the Recreation Commission may establish a schedule of administrative fees for the use of Township facilities with the approval of the Board of Supervisors.

 

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Section 23   Camping

No overnight camping shall be allowed in any of the parks or recreation areas without permission from the Board of Supervisors upon recommendation by the Recreation Commission.  All persons wishing to receive permission for overnight camping must give at least 30 days notice.

 

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Section 24   Violations and Penalties

A. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall be liable on conviction thereof to a fine or penalty of not more than $600 for each and every offense, to be collectible before any District Justice as like fines or penalties are now by law collectible.

B. Police may remove from any Township park or recreation area any person who, upon the complaint of any individual and upon the police acknowledging probable cause, is violating any law, Township ordinance, regulation or is otherwise disturbing the normal peaceful enjoyment of a Township park or the area surrounding such park.

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Enactment

Ordained and enacted this 3rd day of December,  2013

 
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